MLB Player News

Walker didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Nationals, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out five.

All the damage came on a first-inning homer by Riley Adams, but Walker kept his focus and got taken off the hook for the loss when the Phillies tied things up in the bottom of the sixth. Top prospect Andrew Painter still lurks as a rotation option for the stretch run, but Walker's been steady as the team's fifth starter, lasting at least five innings in six straight trips to the mound while posting a 2.88 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 17:6 K:BB over 34.1 innings. The veteran righty is scheduled to make his next start on the road next week in a crucial NL East clash with the Mets.

Adams went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies.

The catcher gave the Nationals an early lead by taking Taijuan Walker deep in the first inning. Adams has slugged a career-high eight homers this season -- his previous best was five, set in 2022 -- and four of them have come in his last 24 games, a stretch in which he's slashing .289/.365/.487 with 11 RBI and 11 runs. With Keibert Ruiz (concussion) seemingly not close to a return, Adams' surprisingly productive run could continue into September.

Tellez started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 win over Cleveland.

Tellez swatted his third home run in 24 games since being promoted to the majors July 18. He appears to be in line for regular plate appearances in the short term, as Friday's start at first base was his fourth in the five games since the Rangers placed Jake Burger (wrist) on the 10-day injured list. All of his starts have come against right-handers.

Cavalli came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-4 win over the Phillies, giving up three runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out four.

It wasn't quite as impressive an effort from Cavalli as in his last trip to the mound, when he fired seven shutout innings, but the right-hander held a dangerous Philly offense mostly in check for a second straight meeting. Cavalli tossed 64 of 95 pitches for strikes in his second career quality start, and over four outings in August he sports a 2.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 18:6 K:BB in 22.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next start, which lines up to come on the road next week against another fearsome foe in the Yankees.

Pederson went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Pederson laced a first-pitch double to drive in the game-winning run in the ninth inning for the walk-off win. His hit followed a game-tying single by Corey Seager on the first pitch he saw, as it appears the Rangers had a plan to jump early on Cleveland closer Cade Smith. Pederson has hit safely in four consecutive games, going 5-for-15 with a double, a home run and three RBI.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a walk, two doubles and four RBI in Friday's 9-0 rout of the Rockies.

The 38-year-old got the offensive fireworks started early with two-run doubles in both the first and second innings. The performance snapped a 1-for-22 slump by McCutchen over his prior nine games, and on the season he's slashing .240/.331/.375 with 11 homers, 39 runs and 45 RBI in 109 contests.

Pham went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a home run, three runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 9-0 win over the Rockies.

The veteran outfielder also reached base on a hit-by-pitch, and Pham took Anthony Molina deep for a two-run shot in the sixth inning after crossing the plate in the first and second frames. Pham is up to seven homers on the season, and three of them have come in his last 16 games, a stretch in which he's slashing .245/.344/.453 with two steals, seven runs and nine RBI.

Chandler recorded the save in Friday's 9-0 win over the Rockies, allowing two hits over four scoreless relief innings. He struck out three without walking a batter.

The 22-year-old right-hander had trouble with his control at times in Triple-A Indianapolis this season, but Chandler was dialed in during his big-league debut Friday, firing 29 of 40 pitches for strikes while piggybacking Braxton Ashcraft in a combined shutout. Chandler topped out at 100.4 miles per hour with his four-seam fastball and reached triple digits with his final pitch of the night as well, highlighting his impressive upside. The Pirates could move him into the rotation as some point down the stretch, but Chandler is just as likely to get his feet wet in a bulk-relief role for the rest of 2025 before competing for a starting job next spring.

Semien (foot) underwent an MRI on Friday that came back inconclusive, MLB.com reports.

Semien fouled a ball off his foot during the series finale against the Royals on Thursday and was held out of Friday's lineup. He remained in a walking boot and could miss the entire weekend set against the Guardians. Ezequiel Duran started at second base in Semien's place.

Ashcraft (4-2) picked up the win in Friday's 9-0 rout of the Rockies, allowing one hit and one walk over five scoreless innings. He struck out six.

Making his third straight start, Ashcraft delivered the best performance of his young career as he combined with fellow rookie Bubba Chandler on the shutout. Ashcraft racked up 14 swinging strikes on only 65 pitches (47 total strikes) as he set a new personal best in Ks, and since moving into the rotation the 25-year-old righty has a 1.35 ERA, 0.67 WHIP and 15:2 K:BB over 13.1 innings. He'll look to keep rolling in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road next week in St. Louis.